Well my cousin has kindly posted over to me a couple of the Breathalyser test things for France.
I think they cost under 2€ per pack of 2 in the French supermarkets, whilst the ferry companies are charging £10!
I am really confused why we still need to carry these items, was it not the case that when the new government came into France a year or so back, that they annuled the law that said these test kits are mandatory.
I believe the original law was for a 12€ fine or similiar if you did not have at least 2 of the testers in your car.
Can this law still be enforced, if not why are UK travel firms still saying that we must carry these Test kits whilst in France.
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I bought some of these things last year when they said it was becoming law. Then it changed so I'm not sure now. doesn't matter because i have some, they do have a use by date on them i think. I'll have to check.
Yep, mine have a use by date of December 2014, although I do not know when my cousin bought them, but I guess you would be lucky if yours are still in date for this year, just another con to make sure folk keep buying the things.
The law is stll on their statute books they just don't enforce it
The law requires you to carry one in date unused tester conforming to the NF spec.
saxo1
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Well the saying "The Law is an Ass" could not be more true than in this case.
So what you are saying saxo1 is that it would be breaking the Law if you do not have a Test kit in the car, but you will not get a fine if you do not have them in the car, as the law is not being enforced.
So again it does beg the question why are the Ferry companies and Travel firms along with insurance companies advising you should have a Test kit with you in your car.
"So again it does beg the question why are the Ferry companies and Travel firms along with insurance companies advising you should have a Test kit with you in your car."
Because we are British and obey all the laws that the EU and mainland Europe introduce,we modify them to make them onerous and then complain about them it's what we do.
The French have largely ignored the law since it was drafted.
"Its odd how something that costs 2€ is the cause of more
threads on here than things that cost much more"
With the exception of reverse polarity and budgie smugglers!
saxo1
In the 30 years I have been driving in France, with or without the caravan, I have NEVER been stopped by any of their Police Forces.
I won't be worrying about carrying them.
I think its time this thread died a death.
Just buy a pack, less than a fiver and forget about it.
After all, you are quite happy to pay £5 to travel a few miles on their motorways so whats the big issue with it. J x
Hi Alan29.
I am quite happy to obey the rules in France, but my point is are these Test kits a definite rule, no one seems to be able to answer for definite.
I don't think anyone really knows the answer to the question and that is why there is so much discussion on the subject.
We just have a pack just in case. J x
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It's as I posted:
Initialement, le gouvernement prévoyait une amende de 11 euros en cas de défaut d'éthylotest. Mais le 13 février, le Conseil national de la sécurité routière (CNSR) avait recommandé «la détention obligatoire d'un éthylotest» dans tout véhicule terrestre à moteur, y compris pour les conducteurs de cyclomoteurs, mais sans sanction en cas de non-présentation.
Roughly translated they originally proposed an 11 euro fine if you didn't have one,13th Feb 2013 the CNSR recommended that the requirement to have one remains for all motor vehicles but no action will be taken if you haven't got one.
saxo1
Hi paul&julie.
I think you may have hit the nail on the head, the fact that these Test kits are being discussed is probably what the French government had in mind, they would have recond that having the French motorist discuss about these kits then awareness about drink driving would increase, even if the Test kits are not even accurate, it does not matter as a drink driver will still drink and drive, but maybe a few regular drivers will have second thoughts about drink driving, due to these kits being around, whether in law or not.
Replacing the Test kit as the use by date comes around will be just a reminder, all very clever when you think about it, and even if just one life is saved, then the controversy has been worth it.
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Topic: France Test d`alcoolemie
